Page:Leaves from my Chinese Scrapbook - Balfour, 1887.djvu/143



such things; to talk, as you do, of governing my state on an ethical basis would be its ruin." So he castrated him and sent him away. The other son, who had studied military matters, meanwhile went to the State of Wei, in order to gain the interest of the reigning Marquis. But the Marquis said, "Mine is a weak state, hemmed in between two great ones. My policy is to conciliate the states that are larger than mine by being of service to them, and states that are smaller than mine by dealing kindly with them. That is the way to preserve peace for myself. If I were to rely upon military strength, I might look out for speedy annihilation; and if my people were to desert me and go in a body to some other state, the calamities that would come upon me would be no laughing matter." So he cut off young Meng's feet, and sent him back to Lu.

Then all the Mengs, father and sons, smote their breasts and railed on old Mr. Shih. But Mr. Shih said, "All who are lucky enough to hit the right moment prosper; those who miss it are ruined. The methods you adopted were the same as those of my own sons; it is only the results which were different. This was because you missed your opportunities, not because you acted unwisely. Besides, the principle of mundane affairs is not invariably right, while events do not invariably turn out wrong. What was used yesterday is rejected to-day, and what is rejected to-day may perhaps be used to-morrow; but the question whether such a thing is used or rejected is no criterion as to whether it is right or wrong. You may hit upon your opportunity, and come just in the nick of time; but it is never certain that things will turn out in your favour—that must depend on a man's own shrewdness. If he is not shrewd enough, though he be as learned as Confucius and as accomplished as Lü Shang, he will be unsuccessful, whatever course he may adopt."

Then the Mengs, casting off their resentment, said, with recovered good-humour, "We see it all now! You need not repeat your words."